Students in an American Sign Language (ASL) class

Interpreting is an exciting and in-demand career. (Employment is projected to grow 20% by 2031, much faster than average.) And UWM’s ASL interpreter program will give you the edge you need to succeed.

UWM’s four-year bachelor’s program for interpreting is the only one of its kind in Wisconsin. Our American Sign Language/English Interpreting program goes beyond language, culture and how to facilitate conversations. We work to develop well-rounded interpreters who value and consider others’ perspectives. Who are culturally sensitive and empathetic practitioners. And who continuously work to better themselves and the interpreting profession.

Program Type

Major

Program Format

On Campus

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Why Choose Our Program?

  • Strong Academics: Our philosophy, “Deaf Heart Starts Here,” takes hold the moment you begin. Due to the foundational coursework, you can be confident that you’ll be competent in ASL, knowledgeable about Deaf culture and connected to the local Deaf community.
  • Community: The UWM American Sign Language/English Interpreting program has a strong connection to Wisconsin’s Deaf and interpreting community. Community members regularly visit the interpreting classrooms. This strengthens the trust between the program and the people the interpreting students will work with post-graduation.
  • Diversity: We understand that the interpreting profession is unrepresentative of the diversity within the Deaf community. We strive to create a diverse community of interpreters fluent in language and culture, and engaged in critical thinking and service learning. We actively seek input, counsel and involvement from communities and stakeholders who are underrepresented in our field.
American Sign Language (ASL) student (multi racial female) on campus.
UWM student Kylie Leverette earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in American Sign Language Interpreting. She shares what sets the program apart.

Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 20% by 2031, much faster than the average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 9,200 openings for interpreters and translators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Program Highlights

  • UWM offers Wisconsin’s only four-year bachelor’s program for American Sign Language / English interpreting. (A bachelor’s degree is required to be eligible for national certification testing.) Our program aligns with both state licenses, giving students more employment opportunities at graduation.
  • Our ASL interpreter program is proud to be one of a few in the country to have the Sorenson Synergy Program available to students. Interpreting students can visit the Sorenson Call Center in West Allis and observe video relay interpreters at work!
  • Connect with our highly qualified instructors. All ASL instructors are deaf and experienced with providing a safe, immersion-like environment. Within the program professional course sequence, you’ll learn from nationally certified interpreters. They bring their expertise in the field, as well as relevant work experience, to the learning environment.
  • Access a unique community of mentors. This includes: your advisor, program coordinator, instructional staff, peer mentors and professional interpreters from the community.
  • We work hard to ensure that graduates reach their career goals. We also pride ourselves on the success our former students have achieved through their work in our community. In a recent survey of the past five graduating classes, 80% of our graduates were working as interpreters. 76% reported finding work within three months of graduation.
  • The ASL interpreter program curriculum aspires to align with the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE) Accreditation Standards.

Program Experiences

For admitted students, the two-year course sequence begins once per year in fall. The cohort of interpreting students take courses together in an outlined sequence. In general, students experience:

  • Students will have interpreting skills courses
    • Skills courses are designed to build off the prior semester. This ensures that students are advancing their skills and preparing to work in the community.
  • Within the skills courses, students will have specialized areas of study regarding various interpreting settings, including:
    • Interpreting in K-12 educational settings
    • Interpreting in post-secondary settings
    • Medical interpreting
    • Mental health interpreting
    • Video relay interpreting
  • Students build an ethical decision-making framework through the seminars that are attached to the field experience courses.
  • Students develop a website that showcases their skillset and professional qualifications at the end of the program, as preparation for the transition to a job search.

ASL Lab

The ASL Lab offers language coaching and tutoring for students who are in ASL 5 or higher. Students come to the lab during open hours to do homework, socialize, or register for tutoring and language coaching. Other students may receive special permission from the ASL Studies coordinators or Interpreting Program coordinator to access the lab based on specific circumstances.

Living Learning Community (LLC)

The purpose of the American Sign Language LLC is to establish a residence hall community for Deaf students and students who know or are learning ASL. This program enhances students’ knowledge of American Sign Language outside of the classroom as they build solid relationships with one another and the extended Deaf community. Students living in the ASL LLC gain confidence in the social and cultural diversity of the signing community.

Program Requirements

Overall, the ASL interpreter program requires a total of 121 credits. The general education requirements (GER) are specific as a means to enhance the skill development of the interpreting student. In terms of a four-year plan, the first two years are GER, language courses and interpreting foundation coursework. The final two years are in the American Sign Language/English Interpreting major.

Students are strongly encouraged to consider the Cultures and Communities Certificate as a way to round out their education and prepare themselves to work with diverse groups of people.

This program uses a cohort model. Students who apply during the spring admission period and are admitted to the program. The cohort then begins the two-year sequence in the subsequent fall semester. This cohort model is designed to encourage students to develop a network of interpreting colleagues and, more importantly, becomes a support network during the program.

Second Degree Program Pathway

If you do not currently have a degree, you can complete your undergraduate coursework in the American Sign Language/English Interpreting program to obtain your bachelor’s degree. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete your education as a second degree. In either case, before you are admitted to the professional cohort, you must successfully complete six semesters of American Sign Language and other course prerequisites.

The amount of time required may seem overwhelming to some, but the fact is that interpreter education takes time. To become a competent interpreter, you must have language proficiency in both ASL and English. Learning to become an ASL/English interpreter requires commitment; a commitment to the time and energy required for language acquisition, as well as the commitment to a culture and a community of people.

Students may choose to complete the program as a full-time or part-time student. For students who would like to explore a part-time option, please consult with the advisor.

Field Experience

Students are required to complete field experience hours throughout the ASL interpreter program (final four semesters after program admission). In the first three semesters (Fall I, Spring I and Fall II):

Students have a fieldwork courses.

  • Students are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of fieldwork outside the class (opportunities are provided from the program coordinator)
  • Students will experience a variety of settings and types of learning experiences
  • In the seminar attached to the fieldwork, students discuss their experiences, any ethical issues and the role of the interpreter

In the final semester of the program, students have two internship experiences. One in a K-12 interpreting setting and the other in a community interpreting setting.

  • Students work with an interpreting mentor at each site
  • All placements are coordinated by the interpreting program coordinator
  • Students complete 150 hours in the K-12 interpreting internship
  • Students complete approximately 240 hours in the community interpreting internship

Program Completion and Graduation Requirements

Students who meet the major and testing requirements will graduate with an endorsement from the American Sign Language/English Interpreting program. Students who do not meet testing requirements may choose to graduate without endorsement, but will be ineligible to work in the state of Wisconsin. Requirements are as follows:

  • Completion of all American Sign Language/English Interpreting program major professional courses with a B- or better and GPA of 2.75; B- or better in designated skills courses
  • Successful completion of two interpreting internships (K-12 educational interpreting and community interpreting internships)
  • Completion of Wisconsin DPI course requirements with a C or better:
    • EDPSY 330
    • EXCEDUC 300
    • COMMUN 103
  • Passing score for Knowledge Exam, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) National Interpreter Certification (NIC) – 500 or above
  • Passing score for at least one of the following interpreting performance exams:
    • Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) – First pass Test of English Proficiency (TEP), then pass BEI Basic performance exam
    • Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment (EIPA) – 3.3 or higher
    • CASLI (Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpretation) Generalist Knowledge Exam (pass/fail)

Admission Criteria

While students are working on the specific general education requirements, they are simultaneously working on the language and interpreting course prerequisites for application to the major. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the ASL interpreter program admission screening:

  • Oral Written Communication Part A & B complete
  • Quantitative Literacy Part A & B complete
  • Interpreting coursework:
    • EXCEDUC 348: Introduction to the Profession of Interpreting (students learn about the field of interpreting; the role of the interpreter; ethics of becoming an interpreter) – must earn a C or better
    • EXCEDUC 320 & 321: Introduction to Interpreting Skills (English to ASL & ASL to English- students learn the cognitive process of interpreting; interpreting process theories; practical application of beginning skills – must earn a B- or better in both courses
  • ASL Coursework:
    • EXCEDUC 301 & 302 – must earn a C or better
    • EXCEDUC 303, 304, 305 & 306 – must earn a B- or better in all
    • If student has previous experience, must contact ASL Studies coordinators for information about the ASL Screening Placement. Visit the American Sign Language Studies webpage for more information.
  • Complete minimum of 58 credits prior to beginning the American Sign Language/English Interpreting major
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA in all courses at time of admission (includes transfer coursework)

Application Process

Undergraduate Program

Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort must be submitted by Friday, May 3, 2024. Please view the requirements and complete the application form linked below to apply.

Undergraduate Admission Application

Outcomes

Our ASL interpreter program requirements are designed to prepare graduates for Wisconsin’s interpreter licenses. Upon graduation, you may choose to apply for one or both of the following:

  • Department of Public Instruction’s Educational Interpreter License, which allows an interpreter to work in K-12 educational settings.
  • Department of Safety and Professional Services’ Sign Language Interpreter License, which allows an interpreter to work in community settings other than K-12 education.

For students who are considering an out-of-state move, we can provide specific advice about transferring your skills and knowledge to meet another state’s standards.

Is Interpreting Right For You?

American Sign Language interpreting is a unique career choice that may not be right for everyone who has an interest in ASL. Take a look at the list of questions below to determine if interpreting is the right career choice for you.

  1. Do you believe that ASL is a complex language that requires years of dedication to learning with a community of people?
  2. Are you proficient in speaking and writing in English?
  3. Do you find yourself analyzing what people are saying and finding ways to clearly communicate your ideas or others?
  4. Are you comfortable standing and speaking or performing in front of a group of people?
  5. If you are presented with a problem, can you usually figure out multiple appropriate responses to solve the problem?
  6. Do you connect with other people in conversation easily? Would you consider yourself a “people person”?
  7. Do you value the differences of others and find ways to relate to people who are different than you and are able to empathize with them?
  8. Are you interested and passionate about learning more about the Deaf community, American Deaf culture and other minority groups?
  9. Can you easily maintain your attention and recall information when you are learning or having a conversation?
  10. If you are given a set of guidelines and a framework to understand professional behavior, do you feel it is important and of value to conduct yourself accordingly?

If you responded “yes” to all of the above questions, interpreting seems to be the right career path for you! If you responded “no” to any of the questions above, a conversation with the advisor will help you determine if interpreting is the best option for you. In either case, we encourage you to contact the advisor with further questions about the interpreting profession.

Faculty

Pamela Sue Conine, Clinical Professor in Teaching and Learning
  • Clinical Professor, Teaching and Learning
  • Program Director, American Sign Language / English Interpreting
Christina Destrampe, Lecturer in Teaching and Learning.
  • Lecturer, Teaching and Learning
Jana Mauldin, Lecturer in Teaching and Learning
  • Lecturer, Teaching and Learning
Theresa Schmechel, Sign Language Interpreter and Associate Lecturer in Department of Teaching and Learning
  • Sign Language Interpreter, Teaching and Learning
  • Associate Lecturer, Teaching and Learning

Advising

  • (Last names A – L) – Tyree Bolden
  • (Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas
Tyree Bolden, Academic Advisor in Office of Student Services.
  • Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services
Nicole Claas, Senior Academic Advisor in Office of Student Services.
  • Senior Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services